Golani soldier who was killed by friendly fire in August terror attack near Eilat receives bravery decoration from IDF chief of Staff. ´Without him attack would have been much worse´

The IDF announced on Wednesday that it would grant an honorary citation to fallen soldier First Sergeant Major Moshe Naftali, a Golani reconnaissance unit combatant who was killed during a terror attack in August. Naftali was killed by friendly fire when the patrol he was on engaged terrorists near the Israel- Egypt border.

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz approved the decision to grant a posthumous medal of honor to Naftali in appreciation of his valor during the terror attack.

The decoration was recommended by Golani Brigade Commander Ofek Buchris, noting that Naftali´s quick and determined actions prevented the terrorists from carrying out an attack on a much wider scale.

The decision to award the decoration also emphasized the quick response of the unit that blocked the terrorists´ plans. It was mentioned that the assailants were well trained and equipped with grenades, firearms, vests, cable ties, and other weapons.

According to IDF estimates, if it wasn´t for Naftali´s uncompromising efforts, the terrorists would have executed their original plan of a large scale attack with major ramifications.

The initial incident investigation declared that Naftali led his troops professionally and decisively, and his actions were essential for quickly stopping of the attack. Naftali´s mother, Shula, spoke after his death: "As his mother I know he fought courageously."

His father, Yossi, eulogized Moshe, saying his son never did anything halfheartedly. "Even now he went all the way, and left us," he said.

"His courage and valor will always be remembered, regardless of the fact that he was killed by friendly fire," Shira Gat, a close friend of Moshe´s told Ynet. "The fact he was the first to engage and respond with force is unique to Moshe. Maybe his death was a result of a mistake. Either way, he is not with us any more, so it doesn´t matter."

Moshe Naftali, 22, enlisted in 2009 after studying for a year and a half in the Keshet IDF military preparatory school.

The terrorist attack in August near Ein Netafim claimed the lives of seven more people: Sisters Flora Gez and Shula Karlinsky and their husbands, Moshe Gez and Dov Karlinsky who were shot to death in their vehicle on their way to a vacation in Eilat, Officer Paskal Avrahami, driver of private car Yosef Levi and bus driver Yitzhak Sela. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 04/26/12)